Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.3, 2018

 

The Dual Structure of Village Organizations in Medieval Western Europe (Abstract)

 

Hou Jianxin

 

Two trends can be discerned in research on manorial and village organizations in medieval Western Europe. The complex historical phenomena of this period cannot ultimately be explained away either by ignoring the existence of rural communities or by rediscovering them and “leaving the manor behind.” To reveal the true history of this period, we must focus on economic and social history as a whole over the longue durée, introduce the new concept of the “mixed manorial-village community,” clarify the logical relationship of the two, and construct an analytical framework for the dual structure of rural organizations in Western Europe. In this concept, “manor” and “village” are two parallel and coexisting components whose combination is characterized by the term “mixed community.” The feudal manor and the village community, with its long history, were never integrated but nor were they completely independent; rather, their tense relationship of collaboration and confrontation drove the development of rural organizations. That relationship was the basis of the dual structure and unique historical characteristics of the rural organizations of Western Europe. The idea of the medieval rural community had a profound impact on Europe and is a historical heritage worthy of study.